The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-11-08
PART II.

THE ARREST.
/ gathered the money up, and it counted
just two hundred and fifty dollars then I sat
down and pondered. Surely the contents of
the bag must have been of great value to have
called forth such a present, but the more 1
tried to explain the affair to myself, the more
was puzzled.
The day wore slowly away; at shutdown the
boat returned bringing word that the other
captains were disappointed at my not being
with them.
AT an early hour I.sought my bed in any
thing but tranquil frame of mind, for
knew that should the authorities discover that
L had carried the bag ashore and left it, no
matter what the contents might be, it would
go hard with me, for the Spaniard of the West
Indies has little love for the American, and is
only to we'll pleased to catch one tripping.
/ might have been midnight when [ was
awakened from troubled sleep by the sound
OF boat humping alongside and the voices of
strangers on deck. AT length several men
came down the forward companion way, but
they were met by the mate who refused them
admission to the cabin. They then began
loudly calling for the captain.
trembled, I'll admit it; but there was no
alternative, l must face them. So hurrYing
on my clothing came out into the cabin and
met the officers.
1--WE must take you ashore, captain" re-
marked one of the soldiers in English.
"For what ?" demanded.
That the captain will learn when we reach
there"-was the only satisfaction that / got,
and unceremoniously they hustledsme out of
the vessel and away-but not before 1 had
chance to toll my mate to inform the Ameri-
can consul early in the morning Of what had
taken place.
On leaving the bark was surprised to see
that they did not take the course for the city,
but kept away to the westward
"Where are you taking me?" inquired, in
dismay.
"See. bimeby," was the only answer, and L
held my peace.
Soon the dark outlines of the shore arose
before Inc, but the formation of the outline
as it broke upon my view caused shudder to
creep over me and almost froze the blood in
my veins
It was the fort that we were approaching,
and the sharp angles and lofty. tufrets stood
out grim and threatening against the star-lit-
sky in the west
ALI the tales that had ever read of the
Spanish inquisttion and the manner in which
they administer justice (?) in Cuba rushed to
my mind, and again the fate of poor CAPTAIN
Frye was still fresh in my memory.
Still was sure that they could only punish
me with fine for smuggling the bag ashore;
yet, suppose that the bag contained something
ofjmportance to the Cuban patriots? What
II L had unwittingly been the bearer of valuable
messages to the Insurgents?
The thought almost mnerved me.
If it was so, and the government had found
the packet, could expect no better fate than
fell to the lot of so many of the crew of the
Virginius.
When the keel of the boat grated upon the
coral rocks at the foot of flight of stone steps,
was ordered to disembark, and between two
soldiers with muskets, and preceded by an Off
Ger, the ascent was began up the damp, Shiny
stairs.
We had not taken many steps when we were
hailed by sentry who was answered by the
officer in whose charge was--we then re-
sumed our way: soon a bright light shone in
our faces and we could see an open door little
above us.
Through this door we passed and as it swung
to again upon its massive hinges we
found ourselves between two rows of soldiers
with drawn swords; the apartment seemed to
be sort Of guard room or keep.
a lew moments after our entrance, during
which time we had remained standing without
word being spoken, door i'll the fnrther end
of the room opened and an officer, gaily be-
decked with gold lace, entered ard approaching
our party took some papers from the soldier in
charge and began to read them very carefully
When he had finished he waved an adieu to
those who had arrested me, and they at once
turned and left the apartment by the same
door through which we had entered
Them at the word of command, two soldiers
stepped from the ranks and began to search
my pockets and clothing, taking everything
that they could find even to my handkerchief
was next ordered to fall into line with the
guard and was marched off through long gloo-
my passageways, down fight after flight of
damp, mouldy steps; past strong iron doors
which was easy enough for me to imagine were
closed upon some poor mortals who were des-
tined never again 10 breathe the pure air of
heaven, but to lie entombed within this dismal
pile of masonry until welcome death should
release them from their suffering, perhaps
years after their very names had been forgot
ten in their own homes.
Once heard-or thought / heard-a low,
distinct moan, that seemed to rise from the
Stone tagging beneath our feet.
Narrower grew the passage, as we advanced,
and by the feeble rays Of the single torch car
ried by one Of the guard. / could see number
less lizards, scorpions, and other creeping rep
tiles scamper away at our approach,
AT length, after a journey which seemed to
have led me into the very bowels of the earth,
we were halted before one of the numerous
iron doors, which the officer unlocked and
opened and without further ceremony was
thrust into a small, damp, fetid cell, with bare
stone walls, floor and roof.
By the light of the torch which streamed
into the apartment before the heavy door was
swung to, could see that it was entirely
empty, save countless number Of those loath-
some creatures which had darted across our
pathway as we came down the corridor.
o, what a feeling Of despair came over me
when / found myself alone in total darkness,
entombed i'll this loathsome subteranean
dungeon.
Slowly the remaining hours Of the night
wore away, giving me plenty Of time to think
over the incidents Of the past few weeks and
see if had done anything to deserve such
treatment.
Easy it was to trace my trouble to the strange
youth who had formed my acquaintance in
Boston, but had committed no crime i'm deliy-
ering his effects to his family, save in the act
Of smuggling them ashore and that III itself
was a trivial oilense.
The more my mind dwelt upon the matter
the more / was convinced that / had allowed
myself 10 become a medium between the
Cuban patriots and their synpathizers in the
United States and the information or what
ever it was that i had delivered must have
been Of great Importance TO call forth such a
reward from Gonzalez. Yes, there was no
doubt but what l was in for II, and knowing
the irascible temper Of the Spaniards L felt
that my death was well-nigh certain.
After what seemed an age from the time Of
my commitment to the prison, faint streak
made its appearance upon one Of the walls Of